Sarah, warrior of God

TROUBLE IN THE CAMP As a new Christian I was advised to live for some time in a church house. The house I went into was a really neat old, but very large house that was run by a church elder and his wife. There were about 7 of us 'inmates' from very different backgrounds. I was the only new Christian and came with my share of baggage. I had no idea, but apparently when I used to get home from work everyone used to tip toe around because I brought in with me the oppression of my day. My boss gave me a really hard time from the day he found out I was a Christian and as much as I prayed about it and tried to get on top of it, it made going to work every morning a misery. I brought that misery home with me each day. There was a young Malaysian guy that used to live with us. He consistently said things and did things to rub me up the wrong way and I used to have to use large amounts of self control not to retaliate. One day I got to the point where I had had enough of his behaviour and I asked him why he insisted on doing this. He replied that it was a sandpaper ministry and he was taking the rough edges off me. I replied that if he continued his sandpaper ministry on me then I would do a panel-beating ministry on him. That worked lol.. He later married one of the other inmates and went on to be a pastor in Malaysia.LORD, GIVE ME A GRANDMOTHER This was my prayer. I knew there was a lot of 'stuff' in my life, attitudes etc, that needed dealing with. I reasoned that women seemingly had a closer relationship with God and an older woman, who was wise in the ways of the Lord would be just the one to take me by the hand and help me through this troublesome stage of my life. SARAH.. WARRIOR OF GOD The house parents went away for a few days and we were told to expect a woman to come and be the oversight in the house during their absence. I was in the kitchen when I heard a knock on the back door. I opened the door and was totally amazed at what I saw. Standing before me was a tall 'grandmother'. Her hair was white, her eyes blazing with the power of God and the woman I saw before me was wearing armour. Of course, what I was seeing was what God wanted me to see. He was showing me that He was delivering my 'grandmother', and that she was there for me. I knew God had sent her to the house for me, so decided to let her see what she was dealing with. I didn't want to muck around, I just wanted to get on with getting sorted out.

Sarah saw the worst of me and I knew she didn't like what she saw. This incredible woman decided to get stuck in and pray for me. In the time that followed we had many long conversations, sorting out God's ways as opposed to mine. I believe that she would have spent at least as much time in prayer for me as she actually spent with me, and believe me, that was a lot. Sarah's devotion to God, and the commitment she made to me, was the turning around of my life. She discipled me in the truest sense of the word. It used to amaze me how she would know the right thing to say at the right time. She understood me when I didn't understand myself. I found out later that God was showing her in advance the things she was going to have to deal with. How could I compete with that?? We have lost touch over the years, but she still remains a fond memory. I hope that one day I can be the strength to someone that she was to me. God bless you Sarah, warrior of the Lord!